The Latest on Wellness Programs: What Can Employers Legally Do to Increase Participation?	Back to entire  webinar listing
	Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 - 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT - COMPLETED
	Employer wellness programs are now a part of the benefits landscape. And employers that have tried the "soft" approach to implementing these programs (e.g., health risk assessments and biometric screenings) are now looking for ways that they can actually improve the wellness of their employees. That means greater incentives to participate in wellness programs -- and sometimes even penalties for refusing to do so. At the same time, employers are constantly reminded of the legal constraints they face in attempting to increase the level of wellness program participation. In this webinar, we'll summarize those constraints and offer concrete examples of steps employers have taken to raise the participation levels in their wellness programs. We'll also look at some of the wellness-oriented provisions of last year's health care reform legislation.
	"The use of this seal is not an endorsement by the HR Certification Institute of the quality of the program. It means that this program has met the HR Certification Institute's criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit."
	Presenters:
	Kenneth A. Mason, Partner Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP Ken, a partner with the firm, heads the Employee Benefits Group. He concentrates on ERISA and other aspects of employee benefits law, including both tax and fiduciary issues, substantial involvement with retirement and welfare plans, executive deferred compensation, federal employment discrimination statutes, and issues unique to governmental and other tax-exempt employers. He clerked for U.S. District Judge Earl E. O'Connor before joining Spencer Fane. Ken is a Past-Chair of both the Employee Benefits Committee of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and the Employee Benefits Institute of Kansas City. He has been on the faculty of the American Bankers Association National Retirement Trust School and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America. Ken's lecture subjects have included executive deferred compensation, 401(k) nondiscrimination testing, COBRA compliance, benefit plan aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act, employee leave-sharing programs, and long-term care insurance.
	Julia M. Vander Weele, Partner - Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP Julia Vander Weele, a partner with Spencer Fane, practices in the firm's Employee Benefits Group. She is also a member of the ERISA Litigation Group. Prior to joining Spencer Fane, Julia worked as in-house counsel for Fortis Benefits Insurance Company, where she managed ERISA litigation and advised senior management on other ERISA issues related to group disability, life, and dental products. She was also a Judicial Law Clerk for the 7th Judicial District of Iowa. Julia's practice focuses on ERISA and other laws governing employee benefits, including matters affecting pension, profit sharing, 401(k), cafeteria plans, and welfare plans. She has had significant experience providing employer training on HIPAA and ERISA issues, and has had substantial involvement in matters dealing with retiree health coverage and bankruptcy